# Value of art masterpices

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-art-masterpices/608217>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 3, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-art-masterpices/608217 "2012-01-03T02:37:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-art-masterpices/608217/21 "2012-01-05T19:24:45Z")

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> [@Grateful-UnDead](#):
>
> So this just confirms the comments made above: it is all subjective, and a lot of marketing hype.
> 
> Kinda disillusioning.

I find it exhilarating. If there were an objective standard for great art then it would be possible to create a work that met that standard, obviating the need for further creation. But if good is a moving target, then there’s always a reason to make something new.

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**Author:** ![EdwardLost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\
**Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-art-masterpices/608217/22 "2012-01-05T20:28:41Z")

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[Exit Through the Gift Shop](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_through_the_gift_shop) is an entertaining documentary about a photographer who fancied himself an artist and bootstrapped himself to a highly successful exhibit. This quote from the movie probably sums up a lot of art:  
“I think the joke is on… I don’t know who the joke is on, really. I don’t even know if there is a joke.”  
— Banksy’s former spokesman Steve Lazarides

The value of art comprises:

1. the price of the (melted-down) raw materials,
2. the aesthetic pleasure you receive,
3. the functional utility of the piece,
4. the value of the piece as an artifact (it’s informational value), and/or
5. the price you can get the next guy to pay for it.

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